Suction device

ABSTRACT

A suction device includes an outer tube having an inlet at a first end and an inner suction tube located within the outer tube, the inner suction tube having an inlet at a first end corresponding to the first end of the outer tube. The inlet of the inner suction tube is offset by a distance from the inlet of the outer suction tube, such that the inlet of the inner suction tube is located within the outer suction tube.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This U.S. non-provisional patent application claims priority under 35U.S.C. §119 of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/286,533, filed onDec. 15, 2009, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure herein relates to a suction device, and moreparticularly, to a suction device that removes clots from a fluid.

2. Description of the Related Art

Suction devices may be used for medical purposes to remove fluids froman area that needs to be examined by a physician or surgeon or to removeclots and other obstructions from an artery, organ, or other cavity.However, when a conventional suction device sucks a solid object, suchas a clot or a hard cluster of cells or other material, the suctiondevice may no longer function to clear the area that needs to beexamined. The clot may block the suction inlet, and a physician mustremove the suction device from the area to be examined to clean thesuction device.

To prevent clogging the inlet, suction devices may utilize an inner tubeor cannula positioned within an outer tube to perform suction where theinlet of the inner tube is flush or co-planar with the inlet of theouter tube. The inner tube and outer tubes may include multiple holesnear the inlets so that even if the inlet of the outer tube is blockedby a clot, the holes may continue to generate suction to remove fluids.

However, even though providing holes around the inlets allows thesuction device to continue operating, it also reduces the suction of thedevice, thereby making the device less effective.

SUMMARY

The present general inventive concept provides a suction device capableof continuing a suction operation even after a clot blocks an inlet ofthe suction device.

The present general inventive concept provides a suction device togenerate a vacuum in an outer tube using suction from an inner tubeoffset from an inlet of the outer tube.

Additional features and utilities of the present general inventiveconcept will be set forth in part in the description which follows and,in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned bypractice of the general inventive concept.

Features and/or utilities of the present general inventive concept maybe realized by a suction device including an outer tube having an inletat a first end and an inner suction tube located within the outer tube,the inner suction tube having an inlet at a first end corresponding tothe first end of the outer tube, wherein the inlet of the inner suctiontube is offset by a distance from the inlet of the outer suction tube,such that the inlet of the inner suction tube is located within theouter suction tube.

The outer tube may include a chamber opposite the inlet, the chamberhaving a diameter different than a diameter of the inlet.

The diameter of the chamber may be larger than the diameter of theinlet.

The chamber may have one of a rectangular shape and a cylindrical shape.

The chamber may include an opening to fit the inner suction tube.

The suction device may further include a valve surrounding the openingto seal the opening when the inner suction tube is located in theopening.

A rim of the inlet of the outer tube may include protrusions located atintervals around the rim, the protrusions extending from the outer tubein a same direction as a length of the outer tube.

The protrusions may have one of a rounded shape and a polygonal shapehaving rounded corners.

A rim of the inlet of the inner tube may include protrusions located atintervals around the rim, the protrusions extending from the inner tubein a same direction as a length of the inner tube.

The protrusions may have one of a rounded shape and a polygonal shapehaving rounded corners. Alternatively, the protrusions may have sharpcorners.

Side walls of the outer tube between a rim of the inlet of the outertube and a rim of the inlet of the inner tube may include no openings.

Side walls of the outer tube between a rim of the inlet of the outertube and a surface of the outer tube at an end of the outer tubeopposite the inlet may include no openings.

The side walls of the outer tube may include no openings.

The side walls of the inner tube may include no openings.

The inner suction tube may be permanently fixed to the outer tube.

The inner suction tube may be fixed to the outer tube via at least oneof an adhesive, a weld, and a seal.

The inner suction tube may be integral with the outer tube.Alternatively, the inner suction tube may be movable with respect to theouter tube.

The inner suction tube may be removable with respect to the outer tube.

The outer tube may include an opening at an end opposite the intake toreceive the inner suction tube.

The inner suction tube may include a tab on an outer surface to stop amovement of the inner suction tube in a direction of the intake of theouter tube before a rim of the inner suction tube reaches the rim of theouter suction tube.

The inner suction tube may be mounted to a side wall of the outer tube.Alternatively, the inner suction tube may be positioned away from eachside wall of the outer tube.

At least one of the outer tube and the inner suction tube may be made ofone of fiberglass, plastic, nanofibers, and metal.

The distance of the offset may be a fixed distance. Alternatively, thedistance of the offset may be adjustable.

The suction device may include spacers positioned between the inner tubeand the outer tube to maintain the position of the inner tube withrespect to the outer tube.

The inner tube may include two or more inner tubes, each having aseparate inlet and a separate outlet. The rims of the inner tubes mayeach be offset from rim of the outer tube by a different distance.Alternatively, the rims of the inner tubes may be each offset from therim of the outer tube by the same distance.

Features and/or utilities of the present general inventive concept mayalso be realized by a suction system including an outer tube having afirst inlet at a first end and an inner suction tube located within theouter tube, the inner suction tube having a second inlet at a first endcorresponding to the first end of the outer tube and an outlet at an endopposite the second inlet, the outlet connected to a suction base unit.The second inlet of the inner suction tube may be offset by a distancefrom the first inlet of the outer suction tube, such that the secondinlet of the inner suction tube is located within the outer suctiontube.

The suction base unit may include an irrigation unit to cause the innersuction tube to perform an irrigation function via the inlet.

Features and/or utilities of the present general inventive concept mayalso be realized by a suction device including an outer tube having aninlet including a rim and an inner suction tube within the outer tubehaving an inlet including a rim offset from the rim of the outer tube.The inner suction tube may form a vacuum between a wall of the innersuction tube and a wall of the outer suction tube.

Features and/or utilities of the present general inventive concept mayalso be realized by a method of performing suction, the method includingproviding an outer tube having an inlet including a first rim and aninner suction tube having an inlet including a second rim offset withinthe outer tube from the first rim of the outer tube, and removing airfrom the outer tube to form a vacuum in the outer tube.

The method may further include submerging the first rim of the outertube in a fluid.

Removing air from the outer tube may include performing suction via theinlet of the inner suction tube.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the general inventive concept and are incorporated inand constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrateexemplary embodiments of the general inventive concept and, togetherwith the description, serve to explain principles of the generalinventive concept.

FIG. 1A illustrates a plan view of a suction device according to anembodiment of the present general inventive concept. FIG. 1B illustratesa perspective view of the suction device of FIG. 1A.

FIGS. 2A to 2E illustrate a suction operation of a suction deviceaccording to the present general inventive concept.

FIG. 3A illustrates a plan view of another embodiment of a suctiondevice according to the present general inventive concept. FIG. 3Billustrates a perspective view of the suction device of FIG. 3A.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate dimensions of suction devices according toembodiments of the present general inventive concept.

FIGS. 5A to 5E illustrate stopping mechanisms according to embodimentsof the present general inventive concept.

FIG. 6 illustrates a suction device according to another embodiment ofthe present general inventive concept.

FIG. 7 illustrates a suction device base unit according to anotherembodiment of the present general inventive concept.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate chambers of an outer tube according toembodiments of the present general inventive concept. FIG. 8Cillustrates an outer tube without a chamber.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate inner tubes located within outer tubesaccording to embodiments of the present general inventive concept.

FIGS. 10A to 10D illustrate protrusions of an outer tube inlet accordingto embodiments of the present general inventive concept.

FIG. 10E illustrates protrusions of an inner tube inlet according to anembodiment of the present general inventive concept.

FIG. 11 illustrates an operation of the protrusions of the outer tubeintake or inner tube intake according to an embodiment of the presentgeneral inventive concept.

FIG. 12 illustrates a suction device according to another embodiment ofthe present general inventive concept.

FIG. 13 illustrates a suction device including spacers according toanother embodiment of the present general inventive concept.

FIGS. 14A and 14B illustrate a suction device having multiple innertubes according to embodiments of the present general inventive concept.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the general inventive concept will be describedbelow in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Theembodiments of the general inventive concept may, however, be embodiedin different forms and should not be constructed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the general inventive concept to those skilled inthe art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a suction device 100 according to anembodiment of the present general inventive concept. The suction device100 includes an outer tube 10 including a tube portion 12 including aninlet 14 at the end of the tube portion 12. The suction device 100 alsoincludes an inner suction tube 20 having a tube portion 22 and an inlet24. The inner suction tube 20 may also include an outlet 26 outside theouter tube 10. The outlet 26 may be connected to a vacuum unit or asuction base unit to provide suction to the inner tube 20. A rim 24 a ofthe inner tube 20 is offset by a distance d1 in the direction y from therim 14 a of the outer tube 10.

The inner tube 20 may provide a suction operation, an irrigationoperation, or any other appropriate operation. During a suctionoperation, the inner tube 20 first sucks the air out of the outer tube10 to generate a vacuum in the outer tube 10 having a strengthdetermined by a volume between the outer tube 10 and inner tube 20. Whenthe inlet 14 of the outer tube 10 is submersed in a fluid, the vacuum ofthe outer tube 10 draws the fluid up to the inner suction tube 20, whichtransmits the fluid to a connected suction base unit. In addition, asdiscussed below, the offset distance d1 of the rim 24 a of the innertube 20 from the rim 14 a of the outer tube 10 allows the suction device100 to prevent blockages caused by clots.

The inner tube 20 fits within the outer tube 10 so that the outer tube10 is sealed except for the inlet 14. A connection hole or connectionportion 16 of the outer tube 10 may be sealed with adhesive, by welding,by a seal structure, or any other appropriate method of sealing theouter tube 10.

Throughout the specification and figures, the inner tube 20 and outertube 10 are described and illustrated as having no holes or openings inside walls thereof. In particular, the tube portion 12 of the outer tube10 may have no holes or openings between the respective inlets 14 and 24to ensure that a vacuum may be generated in the outer tube 10 and thatthe inlet 24 of the inner tube maintains a suction force.

However, it may be possible to include holes or openings that do notsubstantially affect the vacuum and suction forces. For example, theholes or openings may be closed during a suction operation to allow theinner tube 10 to generate a vacuum in the outer tube 10. Holes oropenings may be located adjacent to the rim 14 a of the outer tube 10below a point where fluid is expected to be located, such that the holesor openings do not affect the generation of the vacuum in the outer tube10. Additional tubes, suction devices, fluid-providing units, or otherdevices may be connected to the holes or openings and may be configuredto maintain the vacuum in the outer tube 10.

FIGS. 2A to 2E illustrate a suction operation using the suction device100. In FIG. 2A, the suction device 100 is not submersed in a fluid 50.The inner tube 20 generates suction, and since the inlet 24 of the innertube is located within the outer tube 10, the inner tube 20 sucks theair out of the outer tube 10. When submersed into fluid 50, the suctionof the inner tube 20 generates a vacuum in the outer tube 10. Thestrength of the vacuum is determined by the space or volume between theouter tube 10 and the inner tube 20. A desired volume may be obtained byadjusting the dimensions of the outer tube, the inner tube, and theoffset distance between the inner and outer tubes, as described below.

In FIG. 2A, as the inner tube 20 begins generating suction, an airpressure P1 in the inner tube 20 decreases, generating the suction forceF1. Initially, the air pressure P2 of the outer tube 10 is the same asthe air pressure P3 of the atmosphere outside the suction device 100.However, as the suction proceeds, the pressure P2 of the outer tube 10decreases until it is the same as, or near, the pressure P1 of the innertube. This generates an upward suction force F2 into the outer chamber.At this point, the relationship between the air pressures P1, P2, and P3of the inner tube 20, the outer tube 10, and the atmosphere,respectively, may be P1=P2>P3, or P1≈P2>P3.

In FIG. 2B, the inlet 14 of the outer tube 10 is submersed in a fluid50. Although the suction device 100 may be used in any appropriateenvironment, the fluid may be blood, fat, or any other bodily fluid whenthe suction device is used as a medical device. For example, the suctiondevice 100 may be used to clear fluid from an area within a body toallow a physician or surgeon to see an operation area.

When the inlet 14 of the outer tube 10 is submerged in the fluid 50, theinner tube 20 generates a vacuum and a corresponding suction force F2 inthe outer tube 10. The offset distance d1 of the rim 24 a of the innertube 20 from the rim 14 a of the outer tube 10 allows the inner tube togenerate the vacuum. Upon submersion, the pressure P1 of the inner tube20 is the same as the pressure P2 of the outer tube 10, and both thepressure P1 and P2 are less than the atmosphere pressure P3.Accordingly, the suction force F1 in the inner tube 20 is the same asthe suction force F2 within the outer tube 10.

As illustrated in FIG. 2C, when the upward suction force F2 is greaterthan the fluid's downward force F3, the fluid 50 rises within the outertube 10. The downward force F3 of the fluid 50 is a function of itsdensity since the weight of the fluid at the inlet 14 of the outer tube10 and within the outer tube 10 is defined as its volume times itsdensity. The dimensions of suction device 100 may be adjusted so thatthe inner tube 20 can generate a vacuum and corresponding upward suctionforce F2 in the outer tube 10 capable of overcoming an opposite force F3of a particular fluid 50. For example, high-density fluids may requiremore volume between the inner tube 20 and outer tube 10 to generate astronger suction force F2 to overcome the opposite force F3 of a fluid50. This may require adjusting the offset distance d1 and the volumes ofthe inner and outer tubes 20 and 10, respectively. Increasing a suctionforce F1 of the inner tube 20 would increase the rate at which thevacuum and suction force F2 is formed in the outer tube 10. But it wouldnot change the vacuum strength or corresponding suction force F2 in theouter tube, which is a function of the volume between the inner tube 20and outer tube 10.

As will be discussed below, the outer tube 10 may be designed to have adiameter or width to allow a predetermined volume of fluid 50 to fillthe space between the rim 14 a of the outer tube 10 and the rim 24 a ofthe inner tube 20 within the outer tube 10. In addition, the offsetdistance d1 between the rim 14 a of the outer tube 10 and the rim 24 aof the inner tube 20 may be adjusted to adjust the volume of fluid 50within the outer tube 10.

When the suction device 100 is used in medical operations, the device100 may be designed to perform a suction operation for a specific fluidtype, such as fat, blood, or saliva, or other fluids, since each type offluid may have a different known density. Alternatively, the device 100may be designed to perform a suction operation of a wide range of bodilyfluids of varying densities.

When the level of fluid 50 within the outer tube 10 reaches the inlet 24of the inner tube 20, the outer tube 10 is no longer subject to thesuction from the inner tube 20. Instead, the suction F1 of the innertube 20 is directed only to the fluid 50. The vacuum strength andcorresponding suction force F2 within the outer tube 10 remains constantand maintains the fluid 50 level within the outer tube 10. In addition,the suction F1 in the inner tube 20 sucks the fluid 50 toward the outlet26 and toward a suction base unit or a suction generator connected tothe outlet 26.

FIG. 2D illustrates a clot 55 blocking the inlet 14 of the outer tube 10and the inlet 24 of the inner tube 20. Since the outer tube 10 is avacuum having a low pressure P2 and an upward suction force F2, when theclot 55 blocks the inlets 14 and 24, the vacuum of the outer tube 10exerts an upward suction force F2 on the clot 55. The suction force F2of the outer tube 10 combines with the suction force F1 from the innertube 20 pull the clot 55 to the inlets 14 and 24 of at least one of theouter tube 10 and the inner tube 20, respectively. In other words, thesuction force F1 of the inner tube 20 and the suction force F2 of theouter tube combine to form a suction force F4 (F4=F1+F2) that exerts aforce on the clot. The combined suction force F4 of the inner tube 20and the outer tube 10 is greater than the weight F5 of the clot 55, asmeasured by its volume times its density. The combined suction force F4of the inner tube 20 and the outer tube 10 is sufficient to destabilizeand weaken the clot 55. As illustrated in FIG. 2E, the weakened clot 55may be broken up into smaller pieces 55 a by the combined force F4 ofthe suction forces F2 and F1 of the outer tube 10 and the inner tube 20respectively, and the suction device 100 may continue a suctionoperation without the need to stop the suction operation to clear theinlets 14 and 24.

Thus, as illustrated in the above figures, a suction device 100 mayprovide suction even when the inner suction tube 20 is blocked orstopped. In addition, the suction device 100 may automatically break upclots or other stoppages by exerting a combined suction force F4 on theclots that is equal to a suction force F1 of the inner tube 20 added tothe suction force F2 of the outer tube 10. The combined suction forcesand the exertion of suction forces on different parts of the clots orblockages may weaken and break up clots and blockages without the needto stop a suction operation. In addition, the suction force F2 of theouter tube 10 may be generated by the normal suction operation of theinner tube 20.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a suction device 100 according to anembodiment of the present general inventive concept. The suction device100 of FIGS. 3A and 3B includes a chamber 19 that is connected to orpart of the outer tube 10. The chamber 19 is defined by an outer wall 18that has a diameter or width that is greater than the diameter or widthof the outer tube 10. Since a suction force F2 of the outer tube may beincreased by increasing a volume of the outer tube 10, the size of thechamber 19 may be adjusted to increase the vacuum strength and thesuction force F2 of the outer tube 10.

While FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a chamber 19 having the same centeraxis as the inner tube 20, the chamber 19 may have an irregular shapeand may have a mid-point or center axis that is offset from the midpointor center axis of the inner tube 20. For example, the chamber may beformed primarily to one side of the inner tube 20 or the outer tube 10.

Although FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a chamber 19 having a diameterlarger than that of the outer tube 10, the diameter or area of across-section of the chamber 19 may be smaller than that of the outertube 10.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate dimensions of suction devices 100 accordingto the present general inventive concept. A volume of the outer tube 10may be adjusted during fabrication by adjusting a width or diameter d7of the chamber 18, a height d6 of the chamber, a width or diameter d3 ofthe tube portion 12 of the outer tube 10, a height d2 of the tubeportion 12, a width or diameter d8 of the inner tube 20, the outerdiameter or width d5 of the inner tube, a height d4 of the inner tube,the offset distance d1 of the rim 24 a of the inner tube 20 from the rim14 a of the outer tube 10, or any combination of the above, as shown inFIG. 4A. The volume of the outer tube 10 and inner tube 20 is adjustedto adjust a vacuum strength of the outer tube 10, as described below.

A size, shape, and structure of the suction device may be designedaccording to a desired use of the suction device. For example, if thesuction device is to be used for laparoscopic surgery, the outer tube 10may have a length between 20 cm and 50 cm and a diameter d3 between 5 mmand 12 mm. The rim 24 a of the inner tube 20 may be offset from the rim14 a of the outer tube 10 by at least 2 mm, for example by 5 mm, and theinner tube 20 may have a diameter that is 2-3 mm smaller than thediameter of the outer tube 10. The vacuum chamber 18 may have a volumebetween 10 ml and 60 ml. The projections at the rim 14 a of the outertube 10 may have lengths of 2 mm, may be spaced 2-3 mm from each other,and there may be four or more projections (See FIGS. 10A to 10D).

When the suction device is used in a surgery requiring a longer incisionthan laparoscopic surgery (e.g. laparotomy, thorecotomy, etc.) thelength of the inner and outer tubes may be less than 30 cm, and theouter and inner tubes may have diameters of 5-10 mm and 3-8 mm,respectively. When the suction device is used in microscopic and otherdelicate surgeries, such as brain surgery, the length of the outer andinner tubes and the diameter of the tubes may be much smaller than thoseused in a laparoscopic surgery.

When the suction device is used for liposuction, the length of the tubesmay vary depending on the location on the body of the surgery or othercircumstances, the outer tube may have a diameter of 6 mm or less andthe inner tube may have a diameter of 4 mm or less.

When the suction device is used for nonmedical purposes, the dimensionsmay vary depending on the density of the fluid to be suctioned. Forexample, higher density fluids with high-density clots may require alarger vacuum volume to generate a stronger suction force F2 capable ofbreaking the clot and suctioning the fluid.

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, a pressure P1 within the inner tube 20 maybe controlled by a suction base and by the dimensions of the inner tube20. For example, a suction base that generates a constant suction forceon the inner tube will generate a stronger suction force in an innertube 20 having a smaller inner diameter d8.

The ability of the inner tube 20 to generate a vacuum in the outer tube10, and of the outer tube 10 to suck a fluid from the rim 14 a of theouter tube 10 to the rim 24 a of the inner tube 20 depends in part uponthe distance d1 between the rims 14 a and 24 a. For example, if thedistance d1 is zero, or if the rim 14 a is co-planar with the rim 24 a,the inner tube 20 may not be able to generate a vacuum in the outer tube10. As mentioned above, in some medical operations, an offset distanced1 of at least 2 mm may be used.

The ability of the inner tube 20 to generate a vacuum in the outer tube10, and of the outer tube 10 to suck a fluid from the rim 14 a of theouter tube 10 to the rim 24 a of the inner tube 20 may also depend uponthe diameter d3 of the tube portion 12 of the outer tube 10. If thediameter d3 of the tube portion 12 of the outer tube 10 is too large,then a volume of a liquid at a bottom of the outer tube 10 may be toolarge, and the weight F5 (based on volume times density) of the liquidin the bottom of the outer tube may be greater than the suction force F1of the inner tube 20. Consequently, the fluid 50 may not rise to theinlet 24 of the inner tube 20 from the inlet 14 of the outer tube 10.

The vacuum strength and the corresponding suction force F2 of the outertube 10 may be adjusted by adjusting the volume of the outer tube 10 andinner tube 20. This may be accomplished by adjusting a width or diameterd7 of the chamber 18, a height d6 of the chamber, a width or diameter d3of the tube portion 12 of the outer tube 10, a height d2 of the tubeportion 12, a width or diameter d8 of the inner tube 20, the outerdiameter or width d5 of the inner tube, a height d4 of the inner tube,the offset distance d1 of the rim 24 a of the inner tube 20 from the rim14 a of the outer tube 10, or any combination of the above.

For example, if the length d2 or diameter d3 of the tube portion 12 ofthe outer tube 10 is increased, the volume of the outer tube 10increases accordingly, and a vacuum strength and suction force F2 mayincrease accordingly. The length d4 of the inner tube 20 within theouter tube 10, and the corresponding offset distance d1, may also affecta vacuum strength of the outer tube 10. For example, when the length d2of the outer tube is fixed and the length d4 of the inner tube 20decreases, the vacuum strength and corresponding suction force F2 of theouter tube may decrease accordingly.

As illustrated in FIG. 4B, the volume of the chamber 19 may be added tothe volume of the lower tube portion of the outer tube 10 to determine atotal volume of the outer tube 10. The volume of the chamber 19 may beincreased to increase a total suction force F2 of the outer tube 10without increasing the overall length of the outer tube 10 more than isnecessary or desired for a particular application of the suction device100.

FIGS. 5A to 5E illustrate a suction device 100 having a detachable innertube 20. If the inner tube 20 may be inserted, removed from, or adjustedin the outer tube 10, the inner tube 20 may include a protrusion 29 toensure that a rim 24 a of an inlet 24 of the inner tube 20 maintains adistance d1 from the rim 14 a of the inlet 14 of the outer tube 10. Asdescribed above, by maintaining a distance d1 between the rim 14 a ofthe inlet 14 of the outer tube 10 and the rim 24 a of the inlet 24 ofthe inner tube 20, the inner tube 20 may generate a vacuum in the outertube 10 to more effectively break clots and perform a suction operation.

FIG. 5B illustrates an inner tube 20 having a protrusion 29 and a seal28 located between the protrusion 29 and the upper surface of the outertube 10. The seal may include an adhesive or weld material to preventair from entering or exiting the outer tube 10 via the joint 16. FIG. 5Cillustrates a seal 28 located on an inside of the outer tube 10.

FIG. 5D illustrates a valve 17 fixed to the outer tube 10 to allow theinner tube 20 to be inserted into the opening 16 of the outer tube 10while preventing air from entering or exiting the outer tube 10. Thevalve 17 may have a disc shape having a small hole in the center toallow passage of the inner tube 20. The valve 17 may be made of aflexible non-permeable material, such as rubber to prevent the flow ofair through the valve material. The seal 28 of FIG. 5B may be combinedwith the valve 17 of FIG. 5D to improve the air-tight seal of the outertube 10, for example.

FIG. 5E illustrates an example of an inner tube 20 and an outer tubebeing connected by a screw portion. For example, the outer tube 10 mayinclude a female portion 11 of a screw and the inner tube 20 may includea male portion 21 of a screw, including protrusions to interact with thefemale portion to rotate in a spiral manner to connect the inner tube 20with the inner tube 10.

Although various examples of connections between the inner tube 20 andthe outer tube 10 have been presented above, any appropriate connectionmay be used to secure the inner tube 20 to the outer tube 10 and togenerate an air-tight connection between the inner tube 20 and the outertube 10.

FIG. 6 illustrates a suction device 100 according to an embodiment ofthe present general inventive concept having a tube fitting 30 connectedto the inner suction tube 20. The tube fitting 30 may include one ormore inlets 32 and 34 and one or more corresponding outlets 36 and 38.For example, inlet 32 may be a suction inlet to provide air for asuction operation. During a suction operation, the inlet 32 may beconnected with the inner tube 20 of the suction device to the outlet 36.Any materials sucked by the inner suction tube 20 during the suctionoperation may be output from the outlet 36.

The inlet 34 may be an irrigation tube to provide a fluid for anirrigation operation. During an irrigation operation, the irrigationfluid may be output from the inner tube 20 and any excess fluid or fluidthat is not output via the inner tube 20 may be output via the outlet38. Additional inlets and outlets may be included in the tube fitting 30depending on a desired operation. The tube fitting 30 may be fixed tothe inner tube 20, mounted on the upper portion of the outer tube 10, orboth. The tube fitting 30 may be permanently fixed or adhered to theinner tube 20 or outer tube 10 via adhesive, welding, or any otherdevice, or the tube fitting 30 may be separable from the inner tube 20and outer tube 10.

The tube fitting 30 may include one or more inflow control valves andoutflow control valves to control a flow of irrigation fluid into theinner tube 20 and air and other fluids out of the inner tube 20.

FIG. 7 illustrates a suction system 1000 including a suction device 100connected to a suction device base unit 300. The suction device baseunit 300 may include various mechanical and electrical modules toperform and support various functions. For example, the suction unit 310may provide a suction force to the inner tube 20 of the suction device100 to perform a suction operation. The irrigation unit 320 may providefluids to the inner tube 20 of the suction device to perform anirrigation operation. The storage 330 may receive any fluid or materialfrom the suction device 100 via the output tubes 36 and 38. For example,if a suction operation results in fluid and clotting material beingsucked to the suction device base unit, the fluid and clotting materialmay be received by the suction unit 310 and stored in the storage 330.The suction unit 310, irrigation unit 320, and storage 330 may includemechanical components including valves, pumps, chambers, and othercomponents necessary to generate a vacuum or suction force, to generatea fluid pressure, or to safely store biological materials.

A control unit 340 may control operation of the various functionalmodules of the suction device base unit 300. An interface 350 may allowan operator, such as a physician, nurse, surgeon, technician, or otheroperator to interact with the suction device base unit 300 to controloperation of the suction device 100.

FIGS. 8A to 8C illustrate examples of shapes of a chamber of an outertube 10. In FIG. 8A, the chamber 19 has a cylindrical shape. In FIG. 8B,the chamber 19 has a square or rectangular shape. However, each of thechamber 19, tube portion 12 of the outer tube 10 and tube portion 22 ofthe inner tube 20 may have any appropriate shape including any desirednumber of sides. When the suction device is used in medical operations,a rounded shape may be preferred to prevent snagging of the device ontissue. FIG. 8C illustrates an outer tube wall 12 having a cylindricalshape without a chamber 19.

As discussed above, the outer tube 10 may include an opening 16 in anupper surface to receive an inner tube 20, or the inner tube 20 may beformed integrally with the outer tube 10.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate configurations of the tube portion 22 of theinner tube 20 with respect to the tube portion 12 of the outer tube 10.In FIG. 9A, the tube portion 22 of the inner tube 20 is located at acenter of the tube portion 12 of the outer tube. In FIG. 9B, the tubeportion 22 of the inner tube 20 is located at a side of the tube portion12 of the outer tube. The inner tube 20 may be mounted, welded, oradhered to the inner wall of the outer tube 20 and to an upper end ofthe outer tube 20, as illustrated in FIG. 1A, for example.Alternatively, the inner tube 20 may be separably attached to the outertube 10. The inner tube 20 may be centered at any position between thecenter of the outer tube 10 and the side wall of the outer tube 10.

If the inner tube 20 is made of a flexible material, the inner tube 20may be movable between the walls 12 of the outer tube 10, so that theinner tube 20 may be located in a center area of the outer tube 10 asillustrated in FIG. 9A or against a wall 12 of the outer tube 10, asillustrated in FIG. 9B.

FIGS. 10A to 10D illustrate teeth or protrusions 13 on the rim 14 a ofthe inlet 14 of the outer tube 10. The teeth or protrusions may form acorrugated surface, for example. FIG. 11 illustrates operation of thesuction device 100 including the protrusions 13. The protrusions 13 mayprevent the suction device 100 from grabbing or tearing tissue whentissue is suctioned at the inlet 14. In other words, as shown in FIG.11, when fluid 50 rests on tissue 60, and when the inlet 14 of the outertube 10 of the suction device 100 is rested on the tissue 60 to suck thefluid 50, the protrusions 13 may prevent the tissue 60 from blocking thefluid 50. Instead, the tissue 60 may be held back by the ends of theprotrusions 13 while the fluid enters the outer tube 10 via the spacesbetween the protrusions 13.

FIG. 10A illustrates four protrusions 13 having rounded ends. Two of theprotrusions have a first length d9 and two of the protrusions have asecond length d10. In other words, a distance between a base of theinlet and a tip of the first set of protrusions is d9, and a distancebetween a base of the inlet and a tip of the second set of protrusionsis d10. The protrusions 13 may have any desired length. However, if theprotrusions are too long, the suction device 100 may lose suction. Aprotrusion length of not greater than 7 millimeters may ensure that thesuction device 100 retains suction.

FIG. 10B illustrates protrusions 13 having a square shape with roundedcorners to prevent snagging of the corners on tissue. FIG. 10Cillustrates protrusions 13 having a rounded tip shape and each of theprotrusions has a same height d9. FIG. 10D illustrates protrusions 13having saw-toothed recesses between them, so that the protrusion has atrapezoidal shape. A distance between a peak of the saw-tooth and anouter surface of the rim 14 a defines the height d9 of the protrusions13.

The protrusions 13 illustrated in FIGS. 10A to 10D may also be locatedon the inner tube rim 24 a. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 10E,since the inner tube rim 24 a is separated by a distance d1 from theouter tube rim 14 a and thus does not contact tissue, the inner tube rim24 a may include serrated or sharp protrusions, or protrusions havingsharp or pointed edges or tips, to further break up clots. Theprotrusions may have a triangular shape, or any other sharp or pointedshape.

The inner and outer tubes may be made of any appropriate materialincluding metal, plastic, nanofibers, fiberglass, or any other materialcapable of withstanding suction forces. The type of material used may beadapted to the use to which the suction device is to be put. Forexample, a suction device that is not to be reused may be made ofplastic to be more economically efficient. The inner and outer tubes maybe made of the same material or of different materials. For example, theouter tube may be made of plastic, and the inner tube may be made ofmetal. The inner and outer tubes may be stiff or flexible. Whenflexible, the tubes may be designed so that the offset distance d1between the inner tube rim 24 a and the outer tube rim 14 a is within apredetermined range, even when the tubes are bent.

FIG. 12 illustrates a suction device similar to that of FIG. 1A, exceptthe inner tube 20 of the device 100 of FIG. 12 may be mounted at anangle with respect to the outer tube 10. In other words, if the suctiondevice 100 is made so that the inner tube 20 is fixed with respect tothe outer tube 10, the inner tube 20 may have a center axis B and theouter tube may have a center axis A, and the axis B may differ from theaxis A by an angle. Alternatively, if the inner tube 20 is formedseparately from the outer tube 10 but connectable to the outer tube 10,then the inner tube 20 may be designed to move within the outer tube 10.In such a case, the suction device 100 may be designed so that thedistance d1 of the inlet 24 from the inlet 14 is maintained even whenthe inner tube 20 moves within the outer tube 10. In addition, thesuction device 100 may be designed so that the inner tube 20 may onlymove up to a predetermined angle with respect to the center axis A ofthe outer tube 10 to ensure proper operation of the suction device. Theangle of the inner tube 20 may be adjustable with respect to the centeraxis A of the outer tube 10.

FIG. 13 illustrates a suction device 100 including one or more spacers70 to prevent movement of the inner tube 20 with respect to the outertube 10. The spacers 70 may be formed on the inner tube 20 or the outertube 10, or they may be attached to the inner or outer tube 20 or 10after the inner tube 20 is inserted into the outer tube 10. The spacermay include tabs, a disc, linear supports, or any other appropriateshape that prevents the inner tube from moving in a direction x withrespect to the outer tube 10 without hindering the suction operation ofthe suction device 100. In addition, spacers may include holes tomaintain open a space between the two ends of the outer tube 10 and tomaintain the strength of the suction force F2 generated in the outertube.

FIGS. 14A and 14B illustrate a suction device 100 according to furtherembodiments of the present general inventive concept. As illustrated inFIGS. 14A and 14B, the suction device 100 is similar to the suctiondevice 100 described with respect to FIGS. 1A and 1B, for example, butincludes two inner tubes 20 and 40 instead of only one. The second innertube 40 may have an inlet 44 and a rim 44 a that is offset by a distanced11 from the rim 14 a of the outer tube 10. The distance d11 may bedifferent from the distance d1, as illustrated in FIG. 14A, or it may bethe same as d1, as illustrated in FIG. 14B.

The inlet 44 is separate from the inlet of the first tube 24. Inaddition, the second tube includes an outlet 26 b that is separate fromthe outlet 26 a of the first tube 20. The first and second tubes 20 and40 may be connected to different suction devices, different connectorsof the same suction device, or to a same connector of the same suctiondevice. In other words, the first and second outlets 26 a and 26 b maybe connected to each other, may each connect to a same suction tube, ormay be entirely separate from each other.

The second tube 40 may provide further suction, may provide a fluid toclean an area of tissue, may be a back-up tube that provides suctiononly when the first inner tube 20 is blocked, or may provide any otherdesired function.

The first and second tubes 20 and 40 are each connected to the outertube 10 at junctions 16 a and 16 b. As discussed previously, the tubes20 and 40 may be formed integrally with the outer tube 10 so that thejunctions are permanent connections, or the inner tubes 20 and 40 may beinsertable and/or removable with respect to the outer tube 10.

According to another variation of the present general inventive concept,more than two inner tubes may be provided. For example, two or moretubes having different offset distances from the inlet of the outer tubemay be provided within the outer tube.

Although the figures illustrate inner and outer tubes of a substantiallycylindrical shape, the tubes may have any shape, including polygonal orirregular shapes. In addition, the tubes may be bent, twisted, or ofirregular diameters (having some portions of a first diameter and otherportions of another diameter). For example, both the inner tube and theouter tube may be bent in a lengthwise direction and may besubstantially parallel to each other. Accordingly, a center axis of theinner tube 20 at the outlet 26 may be non-parallel with a center axis ofthe inner tube 20 at the inlet 24.

The material that makes up the inner tube and the outer tube may beeither rigid or pliable. For example, the inner tube and/or the outertube may be bendable to reach an operation location, but may be of asufficient rigidity to keep a shape of the inlets of the inner and outertubes.

According to one variation of the present general inventive concept, theinner tube may include holes located in the side walls. The holes may belocated at any portion of the inner tube, including near the inlet,towards the center of the inner tube, or near the outlet. However, holesmay reduce the suction force F2 that breaks up clots, making the deviceless effective.

According to another variation of the present general inventive concept,a “Y” connection may be provided to a suction hose. In other words, anoutlet may be provided in an upper wall or a side wall of the chamber orthe outer tube. The outlet of the outer tube may connect to the outletof the inner tube to form a single flow path. The tube may be connectedto a suction device to generate suction at each of the outlets of theouter tube and the inner tube. However, a Y connection may eliminate thevacuum and suction force F2 in the outer tube, rendering the deviceineffective at breaking clots. To maintain the suction force F2 thatbreaks up clots, the Y connection may include a rotating stop toselectively block the flow path from the outlet of the outer tube.Blocking the inner tube, however, destroys the suction force F2 andrenders the device less effective at breaking clots.

Although a few embodiments of the present general inventive concept havebeen shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled inthe art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departingfrom the principles and spirit of the general inventive concept, thescope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

1. A suction device, comprising: an outer tube having an inlet at afirst end; and an inner suction tube located within the outer tube, theinner suction tube having an inlet at a first end corresponding to thefirst end of the outer tube, wherein the inlet of the inner suction tubeis offset by a distance from the inlet of the outer suction tube, suchthat the inlet of the inner suction tube is located within the outersuction tube.
 2. The suction device according to claim 1, wherein theouter tube includes a chamber opposite the inlet, the chamber having adiameter different than a diameter of the inlet.
 3. The suction deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein the diameter of the chamber is larger thanthe diameter of the inlet.
 4. The suction device according to claim 2,wherein the chamber has one of a rectangular shape and a cylindricalshape.
 5. The suction device according to claim 2, wherein the chamberincludes an opening to fit the inner suction tube.
 6. The suction deviceaccording to claim 5, further comprising a valve surrounding the openingto seal the opening when the inner suction tube is located in theopening.
 7. The suction device according to claim 1, wherein a rim ofthe inlet of the outer tube includes protrusions located at intervalsaround the rim, the protrusions extending from the outer tube in a samedirection as a length of the outer tube.
 8. The suction device accordingto claim 7, wherein the protrusions have one of a rounded shape and apolygonal shape having rounded corners.
 9. The suction device accordingto claim 1, wherein a rim of the inlet of the inner tube includesprotrusions located at intervals around the rim, the protrusionsextending from the inner tube in a same direction as a length of theinner tube.
 10. The suction device according to claim 9, wherein theprotrusions have one of a rounded shape and a polygonal shape havingrounded corners.
 11. The suction device according to claim 9, whereinthe protrusions have sharp corners.
 12. The suction device according toclaim 1, wherein side walls of the outer tube between a rim of the inletof the outer tube and a rim of the inlet of the inner tube include noopenings.
 13. The suction device according to claim 1, wherein sidewalls of the outer tube between a rim of the inlet of the outer tube anda surface of the outer tube at an end of the outer tube opposite theinlet include no openings.
 14. The suction device according to claim 1,wherein the side walls of the outer tube include no openings.
 15. Thesuction device according to claim 1, wherein the side walls of the innertube include no openings.
 16. The suction device according to claim 1,wherein the inner suction tube is permanently fixed to the outer tube.17. The suction tube according to claim 1, wherein the inner suctiontube is fixed to the outer tube via at least one of an adhesive, a weld,and a seal.
 18. The suction device according to claim 1, wherein theinner suction tube is integral with the outer tube.
 19. The suctiondevice according to claim 1, wherein the inner suction tube is movablewith respect to the outer tube.
 20. The suction device according toclaim 19, wherein the inner suction tube is removable with respect tothe outer tube.
 21. The suction device according to claim 19, whereinthe inner suction tube includes a tab on an outer surface to stop amovement of the inner suction tube in a direction of the intake of theouter tube before a rim of the inner suction tube reaches the rim of theouter suction tube.
 22. The suction device according to claim 1, whereinthe outer tube includes an opening at an end opposite the intake toreceive the inner suction tube.
 23. The suction device according toclaim 1, wherein the inner suction tube is mounted to a side wall of theouter tube.
 24. The suction device according to claim 1, wherein theinner suction tube is positioned away from each side wall of the outertube.
 25. The suction device according to claim 1, wherein at least oneof the outer tube and the inner suction tube is made of one offiberglass, plastic, nanofibers, and metal.
 26. The suction deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the distance of the offset is a fixeddistance.
 27. The suction device according to claim 1, wherein thedistance of the offset is adjustable.
 28. The suction device accordingto claim 1, further comprising spacers positioned between the inner tubeand the outer tube to maintain the position of the inner tube withrespect to the outer tube.
 29. The suction device according to claim 1,wherein the inner tube includes two or more inner tubes, each having aseparate inlet and a separate outlet.
 30. The suction device accordingto claim 29, wherein the rims of the inner tubes are each offset fromrim of the outer tube by a different distance.
 31. The suction deviceaccording to claim 29, wherein the rims of the inner tubes are eachoffset from the rim of the outer tube by the same distance.
 32. Asuction system, comprising: an outer tube having a first inlet at afirst end; and an inner suction tube located within the outer tube, theinner suction tube having a second inlet at a first end corresponding tothe first end of the outer tube and an outlet at an end opposite thesecond inlet, the outlet connected to a suction base unit, wherein thesecond inlet of the inner suction tube is offset by a distance from thefirst inlet of the outer suction tube, such that the second inlet of theinner suction tube is located within the outer suction tube.
 33. Thesuction system according to claim 32, wherein the suction base unitincludes an irrigation unit to cause the inner suction tube to performan irrigation function via the inlet.
 34. A suction device, comprising:an outer tube having an inlet including a rim; and an inner suction tubelocated within the outer tube and having an inlet including a rim offsetfrom the rim of the outer tube, wherein the inner suction tube forms avacuum between a wall of the inner suction tube and a wall of the outersuction tube.
 35. A method of performing suction, the method comprising:providing an outer tube having an inlet including a first rim and aninner suction tube having an inlet including a second rim offset withinthe outer tube from the first rim of the outer tube; and removing airfrom the outer tube to form a vacuum in the outer tube.
 36. The methodaccording to claim 35, further comprising submerging the first rim ofthe outer tube in a fluid.
 37. The method according to claim 35, whereinremoving air from the outer tube includes performing suction via theinlet of the inner suction tube.